Colo. police chief orders new training after shooting

The Aurora Police Department created an entirely new curriculum that reflects best practices and tactics on use of force

AURORA, Colo. — After an officer-involving shooting in Aurora this week that left one man dead, the police chief has ordered all officers and commanders to undergo training on the use of force in November and December.

Jarome Lee Blackmon, 21, was shot and killed on Thursday morning after he allegedly pointed a handgun at officers, police said.

"After this week’s shooting, we decided that we need to do this," said Aurora Police Chief Daniel Oates in a letter to his staff. "We have decided to drop the scheduled lesson plans and focus the entire [training] day on safety, tactics and policy training on use of force."

Oates said he has asked the commanding officer for training to create an entirely new curriculum that reflects Aurora's best practices and tactics on the use of force.

"I know that all of you are well trained on our policy of maximum restraint in the use of force," Oates said in the letter. "I know that every day you make compassionate decisions and use extraordinary restraint. Nevertheless, and because we must always be the best we can be in this arena, we will challenge you with still more training scenarios and policy guidance on de-escalation and avoidance of use of force wherever possible."

The city of Aurora has bought a new, state-of-the-art Lethal/Less-Lethal Training Simulator to assist in future training.

"In light of all that we've been through this year, a healthy day of introspection for the organization in which every officer goes through this training, from me on down, we think is a very smart thing to do right now," said Oates.

Oates said he will soon review two cases involving his officers; a case in March where officers shot at a moving vehicle and a case in July when a man was shot during a confrontation at Colfax and Peoria.